When the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation announced that 1.5-billion students — more than 90% of the global school-age population — were affected by school and university closures because ofthe Covid-19 crisis, shockwaves were felt around the world.
In this situation, the international community has a responsibility, first and foremost to increase investment in education. It has become clear that online distance learning tools are not a universal solution. In sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, only 18% of all learners have internet access at home, compared with 57% at the global level.
Last, the pandemic has led all of us — learners, teachers, union members, parents, public authorities and civil society — to rethink the foundations of education.